Today, we begin a new liturgical year. This is the first Sunday of Advent. In the year650 the church in Spain began to talk about the Sundays of Advent. At that time there were five Sundays. The word “Advent” means “coming”. We remember the way Jesus came the first time, but we also remember that someday, Jesus will return. Today it is Christ’s return that we want to look at today. May God give you ears to hear this morning’s Gospel lesson, Matthew 24:36-44.
Matthew 24:36-44 36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Do you believe that someday Jesus will come again? The first group believes it will never happen. The second group believes the second coming has already happened. The third group is still waiting for Jesus to come. Jesus will return. However, the Bible does say the second coming is a secret. The Bible does say Jesus will come without warning. Today, I don’t want to talk about signs. I want to talk about the secret. This great secret is the ultimate challenge, because the second coming is a secret, you always have to be prepared. You have to live every day like it is your last one. Jesus can return at any time without warning.
If Jesus returns today, are you ready, or do you have some work to do? Do you need some self-improvement? Are there things you would still like to do? Are there things you would still like to accomplish? Do you need to work on some relationship in your life? Do you respect everyone? Is there someone in your life you wish would disappear? When was the last time you told your children you love them? Do you still need to work on your relationship with God? Are you still mad at God over a disappointment or a loss? Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? I would encourage you to fix these things now. After all, Jesus could return at any time.
Did you know Henry Ford was born on a farm outside of Detroit? It was his father’s dream for Henry to take over the farm, but he had different ideas. At the age of 16, Henry left the farm and began as an machinist‘s apprentice. Then he went to work for the Edison Illuminating Company. In time, he was their chief engineer. The whole time he was working he was saving his money so he could pursue his real dream, developing a car the common man could afford. He and a partner founded the Ford Motor Company with this in mind. When he introduced the assembly line to his plant, his dream became a reality. The Model T became an instant success. Did you know half of all cars on American roads in 1918 were made by Ford? I think his story is fascinating on many levels. However, what I admire most about Ford is that his dream became a reality. Have all your dreams reached reality? If Jesus were to return today, what regrets do you have personally? What dreams do you still have that haunt you daily? The return of Christ signals the end. It means the end of our personal aspirations. What do you still want to do with your life? What books would you still like to read? What places do you still want to travel? What hobbies do you still want to explore? What causes do you still want to aid? What people do you still want to meet? The second coming of Christ signals the end!
However, he still hasn’t come so you still have time to live out your personal dreams.
One of my favorite Christmas movies is Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. If you are like me then you have seen it countless times. You know the storyline. George Bailey is a young man with dreams. He wants to see the world, but his responsibilities keep getting in the way. He is trapped in his hometown of Bedford Falls and shackled to the family business, the Bailey Building and Loan. He is living a disillusioned life when matters get worse. The bank examiner comes to town and discovers the business is short $8000! George looks everywhere for the money but he can’t find it. Then the unexpected happens. The people, who George had known and helped for years, step forward and give him the needed funds. He wasn’t the richest man in town because he had money. He was the richest man in town because of his relationships.
If Jesus would return today, what regrets do you have socially? Is there anyone in your life you haven’t spoken to in years? Is there anyone in your life who doesn’t deserve a second chance? Is there anyone in your life you hate? Is there anyone in your life you don’t trust? George Bailey was guilty of not believing in the people in his life. How guilty are you of selling the people in your life short? What joys are you withholding from yourself because you have cut someone out of your life? The second coming of Christ signals the end! However, he hasn’t come yet, so you still have time improve your relationships.
If Jesus would return today, what regrets do you have spiritually? In other words, do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? The second coming of Christ signals the end! However, he hasn’t come yet so you still have time to accept Jesus. You still have time to grab that ticket that leads to eternal life. Someday Christ will return! The question that has haunted the ages is, “When?” It is the greatest secret in the history of the world. Only God knows the answer. The angels in heaven do not know the answer. The Son does not know the answer. The entertainment world does not know the answer. Pastors and evangelists do not know the answer. Only God knows the answer. However, we do know the second coming of Christ signals the end.
However, he has not come yet so you still have time to make some improvements.
You still have time to live out your personal dreams.
You still have time to fix those broken relationships.
You still have time to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
C.S. Lewis says: “A Christian is not one who never goes wrong, but one who is enabled to repent and begin over again after each stumble—because of the inner working of Christ.”
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The link to this past Sundays sermon is below
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsCommunityChurchOrlando/videos/870304717647478